EUGENE DAHINDEN obituary

JOPLIN - Eugene Albert Dahinden, 86, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at a Chester rest home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. A private burial will follow later in the family plot at Highland Cemetery in Havre.

Eugene was born April 19, 1917, at Havre to Anna Margaret Weber and Frank X. Dahinden. Eugene grew up on the family farm near Joplin and received his education at Inverness and Joplin. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1938, then began farming south of town.

Eugene enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1942 and served during World War II. As the war wound down, he received his honorable discharge.

He met Gladys I. Sowder and they were married in Salt Lake City in 1945. They returned to Montana, where Eugene continued to farm at Joplin.

In 1962 he sold his Joplin interests and bought a ranch at Hamilton. Eugene enjoyed working with cattle, so he began raising registered Herefords. He loved the ranch, which became his life for the next 27 years. He reluctantly sold his cattle herd in 1989.

His wife, Gladys, died in 1990. Eugene remained in Hamilton and continued to operate his farm.

About two months ago his health suddenly deteriorated, so he was admitted to a Hamilton medical facility. Because he couldn't live alone, Eugene transferred to the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester to be closer to his brother and family.

During his married years in Joplin, Eugene was active in the Rudyard and Havre bowling leagues. After moving to Hamilton, he continued to enjoy bowling. During his quiet time, he was an avid television sports fan.

Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a brother, William Dahinden.

Survivors include his brother, Vern (Marjie) Dahinden of Chester; stepdaughter, Joy of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and seven nephews and nieces.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.